Exit, stage left: Fox News' Colmes moving on

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The liberal voice of "Hannity & Colmes" is leaving the high-rated Fox News Channel program at year's end.

"With Barack Obama and a Democratic House and Senate, my work is done," Colmes joked to The Hollywood Reporter on Monday. "It's a perfect time for the transition."

Colmes had gone to senior vp Bill Shine earlier this year to tell him of his intention to leave "Hannity & Colmes" to go in another direction with his career. Colmes has partnered with Sean Hannity since the show premiered on Fox News Channel 12 years ago. It's the second-highest-rated show in cable news behind Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor."

Shine urged Colmes to stay until after the election, which he agreed to do. Colmes said that his contract was up "awhile ago" and that it didn't have to do with his contract.

"We worked it out in terms of timing," Colmes said of his departure.

Colmes will remain with Fox News as a commentator as well as the host of his radio program on Fox News Radio. He's also developing a weekend show for Fox News Channel, details of which are still in the early stages.

"It's a little premature to define it, but it'll use my talents as I have here at Fox and give a point of view and have guests and package something that is very entertaining," Colmes said.

There's been no decision yet on a replacement for Colmes. He referred questions on that issue to Fox News but said that he's happy that he's remaining with the channel and thinks it's a great place to work.

"I'll certainly miss working with Sean. He's a terrific co-host," Colmes said. "I loved debating every night and having such a great platform to be seen and have my views heard." (partialdiff)